One of NZ’s most ambitious bike trail projects is nearing completion and at the heart of the action is a Kobelco ED160BR-7 Blade Runner
Greg Keen, the owner of WKC Constructions (formerly Wilson & Keen), a key contractor behind the epic Otago Rail Trail build, has more than a few tales to tell about tackling some of the most unforgiving terrain in the region – and why the Kobelco Blade Runner has quickly become his new favourite machine.
Not your average bike track
Greg’s been in the game a long time. His family has been in the roading and civil business since 1965, and he formally joined the company in 1991, subsequently purchasing it with his wife Rachelle in 2004. These days, he’s carved out a niche in building NZCT-certified cycle trails, including the popular Lake Dunstan Track – but this latest project is on a whole other level.
“The terrain was some of the toughest I’ve ever worked in,” Greg says. “We’re talking full back country, 4WD only – massive rocks, sheer drops, and no easy access.”
To even reach the digger, the crew had to park on the highway, abseil 30 metres down a cliff to a boat, cross the river, climb back up another 30 metres, then drive an ATV two kilometres – where they again scaled over to Skull Bluff – before finally jumping in another ATV for the last five kilometre stretch to the site. All of this, just to get to work.
And at the end of that trail? An 80-metre suspension bridge under construction at Citroen Rapids. No pressure.
Enter the Blade Runner
Greg had his eye on the Kobelco ED160BR-7 Blade Runner for years. “I first contemplated it on another cycle trail job – Lake Dunstan. I always thought, ‘One day I’ll get one of those.’” That day finally came, and it didn’t disappoint.
“I’ve run a lot of Kobelco gear before – SK225s, SK135s – but the Blade Runner is something else – throwing around boulders like they were nothing,” he says. “The blade was what really sold me, and it ended up doing way more than I expected. It’s seriously faster than other brand machines and cut our construction time significantly.”
The six-way dozer blade and heavy-duty undercarriage turned out to be game changers on the narrow, rocky trail. It wasn’t just about moving dirt – it was about carving precise lines into the side of a mountain with zero room for error.
Stable, powerful, and just… awesome
“One of the biggest surprises was the stability and power,” Greg says. “It grabbed huge boulders with no problem. Even with the vibe-ripper, rock-breaker, there was no struggle, the Blade Runner kept pushing through.”
Operators loved it, too. “The cab’s roomy and comfortable – really important when you’re spending long days in tough terrain.”
Greg even managed to run a hydraulic rake on the vibe-ripper, switching between attachments with ease. “It came with such a high spec, all standard equipment. Everything just worked. Within the first five minutes I was saying, ‘Far out, this thing is awesome.’”
Crown jewel of the cycle trails
The 32-kilometre trail – soon to be unveiled – has already been called the “crown jewel” of New Zealand’s cycle network. Local feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with excitement building ahead of the official opening.
“We’ve had heaps of support from the Southern Lakes Trails Trust,” Greg says. “It’s been a massive community effort.”
But it hasn’t just been about moving dirt. There was serious planning involved, from environmental and cultural assessments to geotechnical surveys. Endangered plants and lizards were carefully protected, archaeological features avoided, and rock faces scaled for safety.
“It’s a team effort,” Greg adds. “You’ve got trail designers marking out Grade 2 routes, ecologists, herpetologists, archaeologists, geotechnicians – everyone doing their bit.”
Would he use the Blade Runner again?
“Oh absolutely. I’d love another one,” Greg laughs. “We have another project in the works at Roxburgh Gorge. This thing has been incredible for performance and maximum productivity. It’s made a real impression.”
His advice for other contractors considering a ED160BR-7? Simple: “Go for it. It’ll change the way you work.”
Final word
‘What sealed the deal for Greg wasn’t just the machine – but also the backup behind it. “The service has been fantastic,” he says. “John, our sales rep, has been brilliant from day one. He knows the gear inside out and really looked after us throughout the process. When you’re working in places this remote, that kind of support makes a big difference.”
With Kobelco’s strong reputation and a machine that can handle the toughest terrain, Greg’s team has carved a new legacy into the Central Otago landscape – one track at a time.
And something tells us this won’t be the last trail blazed with a Blade Runner.
For more information, contact kobelco.co.nz